World Cup broadcast in Bangladesh uncertain due to financial crisis

There are only 33 days left for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to start. However, the big bad news for Bangladeshi viewers could be a ‘World Cup blackout’. A big opportunity to get broadcasting rights at a low price has already been missed as BTV or the government did not participate in the international tender called by FIFA in September last year. Currently, no government or private channel has been able to buy the rights so far in the face of the sky-high price demanded by the Singapore-based company, creating extreme uncertainty about watching the game.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan told a national daily that it is not possible for the government to buy these rights by spending huge amounts of money in the current financial situation. Yesterday, he said in a tone of helplessness and limitations of the ministry, “This is a big factor considering the current financial situation of the government. It would be good for the viewers if the game could be shown on the government channel, but considering the financial situation, we are not thinking about it at the moment.”

The minister’s statement also revealed dissatisfaction with the previous agreement. He said, “It seems that not even a tenth of the money spent on the last purchase has been recovered.” Swapan added that if someone from the private sector shows interest, the government can consider cooperation based on mutual benefits.

The Springboks’ package from FIFA includes all television, radio, mobile and internet rights. According to documents obtained by The Daily Star, they are demanding $12.3 million (approximately Tk 150.98 million) from BTV, excluding VAT and tax. According to the terms, half of this amount must be paid by May 10. However, sources said that when FIFA called for tenders last year, this amount could have been much lower if the government had participated directly.

Sources also said that despite offers from T Sports, Star News and an event management company to buy the rights at a much lower price, the Springboks are adamant on their demands. As a result, the cost, including VAT and tax, could reach around Tk 200 crore. However, according to the schedule, 52 out of 104 matches will end by 4 am Bangladesh time, which is a big challenge for collecting advertising.

BTV’s missed opportunity

Before the 2022 World Cup, BTV bought the rights at the last minute by spending 98 crore taka on the government’s decision. However, BTV received the feed at no cost in the 2018 World Cup and earned about 1.5 crore taka from advertising. A top BTV official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that not participating in the tender last September was a big mistake. If they had participated, they could have got the rights at a much lower price. Now it has become practically impossible for them to buy the rights at a high price through Springbok.

BTV contacted FIFA directly last month to inquire about the possibility of receiving a free feed, but has not received a positive response so far.

Officials of private satellite channels said that they were in talks with Springbok but the talks have stalled due to the high price. According to the broadcasters, if BTV does not share the cost burden, then this price is not reasonable for the Bangladesh market. They believe that FIFA has increased the market price of Bangladesh a lot because BTV bought the rights for Tk 98 crore in 2022.

The risk of a blackout hangs over millions of football fans not only in Bangladesh but also in India and China. According to Reuters, Reliance-Disney has jointly offered around $20 million for the Indian rights, far less than FIFA is demanding. Sony has refused to make any offer.

The World Cup is set to begin on June 11. There is so little time at hand that unless something miraculous happens at the last minute, there is a growing fear that Bangladesh’s drawing rooms will be in darkness during the FIFA World Cup.